Division of Student Affairs Newsletter

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Dear Colleagues.

April has been an exhilarating month on our campus, filled with student banquets and end-of-year recognitions! After two years of limited in-person gatherings, it has been truly heartening to witness the enthusiasm and pride with which our students and Student Organizations celebrated their achievements from this academic year. The vibrancy of these events speaks volumes about the resilience and spirit of our campus community. I want to recognize the Residential Life team for their collaborative efforts in planning and executing diverse events and programs, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community within our residence halls. Their dedication provides students with valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow beyond the classroom. Keep up the great work!!

This energy extends to our administrative efforts as well. We are currently in the process of filling various vacation positions throughout the division and you active participation in attending open forums and engaging with interview candidates is crucial. Your insights and feedback will greatly aid our search committees in their recommendations, ensuring that we bring in individuals who will contribute positively to our community.

I am thrilled to announce a significant transition effective July 1, 2024. The Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CGSD) will be transitioning to operate within the Student Union, Leadership, and Activities (SULA) portfolio. This move signifies a strategic realignment aimed at enhancing programming and support for LGBTQIA+ students. By integrating CGSD into SULA, we aim to create more direct avenues for advocacy, education, and community building, in line with our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment. As part of this transition, we are actively seeking a Program Coordinator who will play a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives and activities tailored to support LGBTQIA+ students. The Program Coordinator will collaborate closely with students, staff, and faculty to ensure that the diverse needs of our LGBTQIA+ community are not only met but championed.

This transition marks an exciting chapter in our journey towards creating a campus environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive authentically. We are confident that this restructuring will enable us to better serve the LGBTQIA+ community and cultivate a more inclusive campus culture. Please stay tuned for further updates and information regarding this transition. Together, let us continue to build a community where diversity is celebrated, equity is upheld, and inclusion is our guiding principle.

 As we wrap up the month of April, I am delighted to share some highlights from recent events and activities I had the privilege of attending. It has been an enriching experience connecting with various members of our community and engaging in meaningful conversations centered around student affairs and campus life.

 Here’s a roundup of recent happenings:

NASPA and ACPA Conference:

I had the pleasure of attending the NASPA Conference along with a student leader who is a NUFP fellow and aspiring to pursue a career in student affairs. This conference provided valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in higher education, as well as networking opportunities that will undoubtedly benefit our student community.

During the conference, I had the opportunity to connect with Vincent Tinto, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University, about his pioneering work with EdSights utilizing AI to bolster student persistence.. His innovative approach to leveraging technology for student success is truly inspiring, and I encourage everyone to explore his article “Reflections on Student Persistence” for further insight.

Iftar Dinner Hosted by Muslim Student Association:

It was an honor to participate in the Iftar dinner hosted by the Muslim Student Association during the holy month of Ramadan. This event not only provided a wonderful opportunity for communal reflection and solidarity but also underscored the rich diversity that enriches our campus community.

Coffee Break with New Resident Directors:

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with our new Resident Directors over coffee. It was enlightening to learn about the diverse skills and talents they bring to their roles within residence life and the broader division of student affairs. I am confident that their leadership will contribute significantly to enhancing the residential experience for our students.

Solar Eclipse Campus Celebration:

Total Eclipse of the Port campus celebration was a memorable experience. It was heartening to see our community come together to witness and appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Check out the photo gallery to see the festivities.

Reminder to encourage students to apply for the Mental Health Emergency Grant. You may directly refer your student to Karen Logsdon by email at klogsdon@brockport.edu or by phone at 585.395.5042. The deadline for applications is May 17, 2024.

Recognition!

• Pace Yourself
• Celebration

Congratulations! We are in the homestretch of wrapping up the academic year. Whether our students are completing their first year or their last, we know that this can be an exciting time which can also be very stressful. It’s important to remind students to pace themselves as they prepare for final exams and transitioning back home, or out into “the real world”. It’s a lot to navigate, and we’re here to help.

Welcome New Employees:

Please welcome Ashley Breth (aka Frazier), Assistant Director of Wellbeing, Hazen Center for Integrated Care 

Green and Gold Awards:

March 2024:

Michelle Kuleszo, Hazen Center for Integrated Care

Betty Garcia Mathewson, SULA

Darlene Schmitt, Hazen Center for Integrated Care

Steven Vedder, SULA

Congratulations!

Green & Gold Star Award Nomination for Faculty & Staff (brockport.edu)

Celebrations/Accomplishments:

Please congratulate Dennis Schultz on being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

Dennis has been a member of the SUNY Brockport University Police department since 2017. He started his career with SUNY Police in 2015 at SUNY ESF. Dennis is an alumnus of SUNY Brockport, graduating in 2014 with his BS in Political Science. Dennis is currently enrolled in SUNY Brockport’s MBA program. We look forward to the addition of Dennis to the University Police Leadership Team.

Golden Eagle Experience: Oklahoma

(Shared by Will Walker)

On our adventure in Oklahoma, we are grateful to have learned much from the community and people who welcomed us. Pastor Juan introduced the students to local areas and discussed with us the history of his hometown, Tulsa, and how he grew up when Tulsa schools were desegregating. We were able to eat at a historic location called “Florences’ Restaurant” and meet the owner and founder, Florence Jones Kemp, who excitedly told us all about how she started the kitchen years ago and at the age of 93 she continues to do all the home cooking for the restaurant alongside her daughter today. We were able to visit the location of the Tulsa Race Massacre and talk to the local small owned businesses that have looked to hold onto their history whilst moving forward as the effects of their past still ripple through the community today. Lastly, we visited the First American Museum, traveled to Lake Tenkiller Park and were able to walk along the southern section of Drew’s Route, as a part of the Trail of Tears. From there, we were welcomed to visit the Wyandotte people in Oklahoma who gave us a tour of their museum, allowed for us to interview them on their experiences, and told us how their own history connects with that of The Haudenosaunee here in New York State. As a group, we cannot give enough thanks to those who helped to make this experience happen. We shared some of this during Session I and the Poster Palooza of Scholars’ Day and will forever take with us the memories and lessons learned.

Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May is an opportunity to celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have represented us on many levels, including our previous Vice President Kamala Harris, Ambassador Katherine Tai, and many more. Here we have the opportunity to celebrate through the Umoja Ceremony by bringing our local performers and watch the Lion Head Dance! We greatly appreciate their participation and look forward to seeing you all there!

Committee Updates:

Assessment

Annual Assessment department drafts will be due June 1st.

Touch base with department assessment reps for more information.

Communications

• Communications Marketing and Instagram Student Workers have been collaborating to provide a draft of best practices for a variety of Student Affairs communication tools.
• The Marketing and Communications Committee will meet in April to review and suggest improvements.
• The final version of the Student Affairs Communication Best Practice Guide will be shared with the SA team in May!

Engagement

• Working on outlining events calendar for next year.
• All major events to Kristina Collier no later than May 3rd at the end of business
• Building out Eagle Program

Professional Development

• The Professional Development Committee is preparing a survey to collect feedback on the 2023-2024 academic year that will be sent out in May.
• Please be thinking of ideas for topics you would like to see represented in the 2024-2025 academic year!

Recognition

The Monthly Employee Spotlight Program highlights outstanding work of DOSA employees.

• Visit Employee Spotlight Nomination to highlight the contributions of a DOSA team member. Plan to share:
• Employees name, job title, department
• Brief description of the employee’s work that qualifies them for the spotlight.
• Brief statement about the employee – (that employee is willing to share), Hobbies, family, education, volunteer work, etc. Why they enjoy the work they do or What inspires them in their work?
• Thank you in advance for taking the time to sharing you appreciation!

Campus Wellbeing Steering Committee

• Thank you to all that assisted with our first Wellbeing Fair! (3/11-3/13/24)
• The Committee will be presenting first year accomplishments to the Senate on 4/22
• Mini Mental Health Grants : Application Deadline 4/25, Committee to review 4/26

Student Mental Health Emergency Funds - Still Available!

The Student Mental Health Emergency Fund program is back this spring semester and will continue through the 2024-2025 academic year, as funds are available. SUNY Administration awarded SUNY Brockport nearly $48,000 to support students struggling with mental health conditions that places a financial burden on them.

Mental Health Emergency Funds are grants of up to $500 awarded to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship or crisis that has impacted their mental and emotional well-being. The grants must be used solely for mental health services including:

• therapy visits
• psychiatric medications
• transportation to and from therapy visits
• other basic needs.

Students must be registered and attending the semester in which they apply and must fulfill all requirements outlined in the online application.

This initiative is a partnership between the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Advancement & Communications.

We encourage faculty and staff to share the information with your students by posting on your department’s student listserv and announcing in class, etc. Students can access the following webpage to learn more about the emergency funds and also put in an application at: https://www2.brockport.edu/alumni/be-generous/student-emergency-funds/#SMHEF.

For more questions and/or more information, please contact Karen Logsdon at klogsdon@brockport.edu

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, 4/23/2024 Coping and Healing from Trauma, Seymour Union, B129, 1 pm – 2:30 pm

Thursday-Sunday, 4/25-4/28/2024 SANKOFA African Dance & Drum Ensemble, Hartwell Hall

Friday, 4/26/2024 Lavender Graduation

Friday, 5/3/2024 Umoja Ceremony

Saturday, 5/4/2024 Second Chance Prom

Saturday, 5/11-5/16/2024 Final Exams

Friday, 5/17/2024 Commencement Ceremony: School of Education, Health, & Human Services

Friday, 5/17/2024 Commencement Ceremony: School of Arts & Sciences, and School of Business and Management

Monday, 5/27/204 Memorial Day – University Closed

Schedule of Events: SUNY Brockport